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February 19, 1999/3 Adar 5759, Vol. 51, No. 21
Valley Jewish Youth launches fund-raising campaign via Internet
TAMI BICKLEY
Staff Writer
Valley Jewish Youth, an organization that offers social functions and outings to Jewish ninth- through 12th-graders, this week launched its first-ever fund-raising campaign, with a goal of raising up to $10,000 for transportation and entertainment for its members, and to fund scholarships and pay for mailings.
The nearly 850 children and adolescents of various Jewish denominations who participate in VJY events do not pay membership dues, and are not responsible for their own transportation costs.
"We're always looking for money," said Joan Kalmenson, VJY director. "There are so many kids who cannot afford these things. We subsidize the programs to try to keep the cost of each event lower."
While VJY members who are affiliated with local synagogues become aware of upcoming VJY events through postings, members who are not affiliated with a Jewish institution depend on VJY to communicate with them by mail.
"Reaching the population that is unaffiliated is really difficult," Kalmenson said. "We need more funds in order to mail out the information, and mailings are really expensive. I just did a mailing to let people know what is going on in VJY, and it cost $2,000."
Formed three years ago, VJY receives funding through private donations and the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix's Commission on Jewish Continuity and Community. Last year, VJY received a $12,005 grant from the federation.
Normally, federation-subsidized agencies are discouraged from running their own fund-raising campaigns during the United Jewish Appeal/federation campaign "corridor," which is in effect through March. But according to Fred Zeidman, director of planning and allocations at the federation, because VJY is not a "constituent agency" of the federation, it therefore may proceed with its own campaign. Constituent agencies of the federation (there are now 10) receive a base dollar allocation each year (rather than having to apply for special grants).
"(VJY) understands the importance of the (federation's) campaign," Zeidman said. "They understand the primacy and all the things the federation's campaign does for the community at large."
VJY's plea for money was communicated over the Internet, via e-mail, rather than by phone solicitations or mail, noted Kalmenson's husband, Lenny.
"This is really low-key," said Lenny Kalmenson. "We just want to reach (and help out) as many kids as possible."
Zeidman said that if VJY "was to do any major campaign event or a campaign mailing, that would occur outside the (federation's) campaign window, at the end of March. VJY understands this, and has volunteered to respect the (federation's) campaign."
Joan Kalmenson said VJY decided last week to launch the Internet campaign because the organization is "in need of a lot of money."
"All donations received go directly and entirely toward gathering, transporting, and entertaining members of tomorrow's Jewish community," she noted.
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